An Aesthetic Guide To Jaipur's Most IG-Worthy Places
Let wanderlust take you to some of the world’s most Instagrammable places. We kick off the month of July with India’s colorful and vibrant Jaipur—plus, OOTD ideas for each spot!
Publishing phenomenon and author of Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert, devoted a whole section about the transformative qualities of India in her book. Being one of the oldest civilizations, it has gifted us with immeasurable things: The numeral zero, yoga, and some of the world's most breathtaking sights.
While there are many more recognizable places to feature such as the white-marbled Taj Mahal or the legendary parties in Goa, we at Metro.Style like to be bold and suggest a different kind of destination: Rajasthan, one of the largest states in India, an hour away from Delhi by plane. We are honing in on one of its grandest cities—the photogenic UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jaipur.
If you're like us and are still reeling from the temporary demise of travel, let's not waste any more time sulking. We should make the most out of 21st century technology, and enjoy the visual feast of Jaipur's stunning locations through our screens. Hopefully, the lockdown won't last much longer, and we can all plan our trip to India, stat.
The Dresscode
Before we set off to this exotic destination, here are some tips to get your OOTD A-game ready for India.
Let your imagination run free.
India's spectacularly diverse architecture and kaleidoscopic interiors serve as the perfect backdrop for both outfit extremes: From your most fabulous Gul Hurgel day dresses to one of your old minimalist Celine frocks. There is really only one fashion faux pas in India, and it's being boring.
Keep your outfits light, effortless and PG-13.
India has been influenced by Western culture, like the rest of the world, but let's keep the risk of offending more conservative locals at a minimum, being as we're guests in their lovely home.
Dress as the locals do.
Mooch around the stimulating multisensory bazaars and give in to the temptation of retail therapy. Adopt traditional Indian attire—add a silk sari or a cropped linen choli top to your modern day wardrobe. India produces some of the most beautiful textiles and embroideries in the world of fashion—their clientele lists some of the biggest European powerhouses like Chanel, Balmain, and Dries van Noten.
Ready for a visual tour of Jaipur’s stunning spots? Hit our gallery below:
7 Dramatic Spots In Jaipur
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Amber Fort
(1/3) Both a fort and a palace, Amber Fort is one of the major sites to see in Jaipur. Constructed out of red sandstone and marble, the palace is magnificent from the outside boasting of Mughal's grandiose architecture. But wait until you walk in and see the interiors—it's like seeing the world with kaleidoscope glasses from when you were 10.
Photo Credit: Steffi Cua
Amber Fort
(2/3) Feel like a Gustav Klimt portrait, and let the patchwork-style vestibules surround you. Take inspiration from Rose Fortescue's March11 number, and go for a fun, solid-hued dress to balance out the busy background.
Photo Credit: Photo from Rosie Fortescue's At Fashion Forte
Amber Fort
(3/4) Don't forget to look up. The marvelous ceilings are perfect for a selfie.
Photo Credit: Steffi Cua
Amber Fort
(4/4) Frame your newly acquired traditional Indian dress through the palace's subdued, scalloped arches.
Photo Credit: Photo from @grantkgibson
Jal Mahal
You can only really enjoy Jal Mahal or the Water Palace from a distance, as there's no way to get to it. Photos against the palace are best taken with outfits of neutral shades with interesting silhouettes—like a fashion piece akin to Khaite's pleated dresses.
Photo Credit: Photo from @grantkgibson
Step Well
(1/2) Located five minutes away by car from the Amber Fort in an unassuming location, the Step Well is a geometric buttery-colored beauty ideally contrasted by vividly hued fashion pieces.
Photo Credit: Steffi Cua
Step Well
(2/2) Find a friend (or stranger) to take pics of your Naomi Campbell-esque modeling moments. Just make sure you avoid falling into the water.
Photo Credit: Steffi Cua
Hawa Mahal
(1/4) Hawa Mahal is also known as the "Palace of the Winds," and is probably the most Instagrammed location in Jaipur. It is a building that looks as if it was lifted from one of Wes Anderson's movie sets.
Photo Credit: Steffi Cua
Hawa Mahal
(2/4) Experiment with natural light in Jaipur. You can create the most interesting images using very little equipment. Let shape and shadows take centre stage - we suggest a Nackiye puffed-sleeve top for maximum impact.
Photo Credit: Steffi Cua
Hawa Mahal
(3/4) Spend time inside the Hawa Mahal. The structure behind it is unexpectedly reminiscent of the severity of modern, minimalist architecture—this combined with the stark sunlight and you get a striking backdrop for your Jil Sander separates.
Photo Credit: Steffi Cua
Hawa Mahal
(4/4) Behind the IG-famous pink wall is a room enveloped in a kaleidoscope of colour. For a spot that's brimming with vibrant hues such as this, do a more is more take and accentuate the vibe with a printed Rixo piece.
Photo Credit: Steffi Cua
City Palace
(1/2) The City Palace of Jaipur is a massive complex of courtyards, buildings, pavilions, gardens, and temples. Take your pick out of the many colorful, patterned walls to pose against. You're bound to find one well suited to your taste and/or outfit of the day.
Photo Credit: Steffi Cua
City Palace
(2/3) The scalloped arches and tasteful chandeliers set the stage for royalty - YOU. Think light and airy fabrics that move beautifully in the breeze, much like a printed Zimmermann silk-chiffon maxi dress.
Photo Credit: Steffi Cua
City Palace
(3/3) Sukh Niwas is one of the most beautiful rooms located in the Chandra Mahal building of the City Palace—the blue and white decorations in this room are Internet famous. Many opt to mimic the colors of the room in their ensemble, but you have the option to go rogue and contrast it with a complementary color like orange.
Photo Credit: Photo from @sabrinalakhani2
Rambagh Palace
What used to be the former residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur is now home to a luxurious 5-star hotel open for guests to experience a life of grandiose. Live, eat, sleep and dress like royalty in this extravagantly decorated setting. And ideally, repeat.
Photo Credit: Photo from Rosie Fortescue's At Fashion Forte
Cafe Palladio
Should you need a picturesque stopover in between sightseeing and shopping, Cafe Palladio should be your preferred pit stop. One of the buzziest, more contemporary restaurants in Jaipur, this place has already been featured in several high-profile interior design magazines.
Photo Credit: Photo from @wendyhcallahan
